In order to improve our lousy, ungrateful, attitudes, a fellow administrative assistant suggested that each day we try to think of something that we are thankful for at work (besides a paycheck). As everybody knows, there is no better time than Thanksgiving to be halfheartedly thankful for all the things that you sort of appreciate around the office. And if forcing myself to come up with positive things to say about secretarial work passes the time until I'm sinking my teeth into a juicy turkey dinner, then let's get started:
Item of Thankfulness | Thankfulness Meter |
Last week I was thankful for the leftover pickles and Cheetos I found in the kitchen.
| After mixing the three together, not so thankful.
|
We are both thankful that we didn't work as secretaries before photocopiers were invented. If somebody needed ten copies did the secretary have to type up ten copies? Or did bosses not even ask for ten copies because they could instead chase you around the desk grabbing at your ass? It seems likely that in a time of unrestricted sexual harassment, secretaries may have had it made.
| Thankfulness re-evaluated and canceled out
|
My admin friend is thankful that I taught her "Alt-0176" makes the "degree" symbol in Word. Okay look, I'm thankful when the IT guy fixes my printer and when I remember how to freeze panes in Excel, but I'm not about to bring it up over Thanksgiving dinner.
| Thankfulness exaggerated
|
I am thankful for the free packets of Advil in the kitchen. It's nice of this place to say "We realize we are causing you physical pain, we accept it, and here is a little something to treat the symptoms instead of solving the underlying problem."
| Thankfulness depressing and accompanied by a shoulder shrug
|
My admin friend is grateful that there are bowls of Halloween candy around the office. Though yesterday she said, and I quote, "I'm about to puke from eating Halloween candy, don't let me eat any more no matter what I say or do."
| Thankfulness self-destructive
|
I am thankful that none of the barf-worthy insects in my cubicle have ever crawled out of something I was holding.
| Thankfulness sincere
|
Finally, I'm thankful that I get the day after Thanksgiving off. Nameless satanic corporation that I work for, in this one instance you are relatively decent. I won't even bring up the fact that you have no respect for MLK Jr., Washington, Lincoln, Columbus, and all war veterans.
| Thankfulness bittersweet, slightly resentful, but genuine
|
Happy Thanksgiving everybody. Enjoy your time off, and remember, the pilgrims worked way harder than you ever will.
